Farmers' call
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
MILK PAYOUT to Fonterra suppliers is under more pressure after this morning's Global Dairy Trade auction results.
The latest GDT auction result saw the average price index down 3.1% compared to the last auction.
Fonterra's board meets early next month to review the $5.30/kgMS milk payout; a further cut is now almost certain.
In a worrying sign for Fonterra farmers, the price of whole milk powder- the flagship product- was down 5.1% over the previous auction. Skim milk powder price was also down a whopping 5.7%.
Fonterra's current forecast price consists of a $5.30/kgMS milk price and a dividend range of 25 to 35c. For a fully shared up farmer, this translates into a payout of $5.55 to $5.65 for the season. Last season Fonterra paid a record $8.40/kgMS milk price and a dividend of 10c/share.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
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Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
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